A Fortunate Fall In

 For those who had the chance to catch "What's in a Name" a few months back, you'll be familiar with these characters.  I'd like to present the following as a continuation of the story, if you didn't catch the last one it's not a worry for the next set of events takes place prior to those in "What's in a Name".  I'm putting some finishing touches on a few others which I hope to get out soon.  Tell me what you think.

The Teej

           A Fortunate Fall In

           

Animating the stillness of it all, his headlights made shadows of the nearly vacant street.  Nothing special, a few dings here and there didn’t take from the integrity of the vehicle.  An abrupt halt preceded the flash of the lights and a roar of the engine.  From the depths of this luminous scene came the unconfident clacking of heels.

Stumbling in stilettos, she tripped, scooting her way forward.  Her performance couldn’t fool anyone, but she approached the cool, blue two-door.  Her reflection in the tinted glass made her all the more ashamed.  Once long, jet black hair now held streaks of pink and blue which barely ran the length of her neck.  Her makeup, currently smudged, smothered her earlier; with a dress just as eccentric.  The tinted glass reflected the beauty of a lady of the night, but all she saw was the common whore she was allowing herself to become.

Smoke escaped the cabin as the window lowered.  Reluctantly, she spoke, “Feeling lonely tonight si—…babe?”  Leaning away to dodge his exhale she looked for a face, or where there should have been one.

“You seem a little out of place down here sugar.  How’s about you join me in here?  We’ll talk all about it.”

Forcing a smile and nodding, she scurried to the passenger side.  A flick of the lock and she slipped in.  It was her first glimpse of her solicitor which could’ve been worse.  A bit old, but fairly “normal” for such a situation she thought.  Playing shy he broke the silence.

“What’s your name beautiful?”

“Silv--  Sil—,“  she cleared her voice, “Silhouette.”

“Silhouette huh?  Rather like the sound of that.  Think I might keep it.  You will refer to me as Mr. Blake, understand?  We’re going to drive around a bit before I land on a place sweetheart, but you can go ahead and start down there.”  Shooting a devilish smile he gave his lap a quick pat.

They began moving before she spoke up.  “I’m going to need the money up front…”

The smile quickly faded, leaving a stern glance. “We’ll see about swinging by an ATM before the hotel, but you gotta start by proving your worth.”

Snatching her arm he forced her hand onto his open fly.  Silhouette withdrew.  The car promptly locked before she had a chance to escape.  Mr. Blake now had a gun in hand while attempting to assert his dominance with the other.  A grip of her hair, he began forcing her head down.

“You fucking slut, do what you’re told or you ain’t betting paid shit.  Bitch!”

With no other options, Silhouette made for the handgun, plunging a hidden blade into Mr. Blake’s thigh.  A struggle for the Beretta set it off.  Ducking in invasion, by the time she looked up Blake was already dead; the bullet having passed through his temple.

‘Deep breaths’ she kept repeating.  Something so simple as thinking can be of the greatest challenge under stress.  What the hell was she to do?

Money never exchanged hands; I could be here for any reason.  Cops won’t know shit.  She checked his pockets which surfaced his mobile and wallet; carefully snatching a few bills before calling in what had happened.  Paul Blake, whoever he was, he was loaded; whoever he was, he was fucked.

Rams Ridge Police Department, it’s a right joke to anyone who’s had to deal with them.  Crooked to the core, essentially a government funded mafia.  Play by their rules and they might not cross you; just don’t get on their wrong side.  Upon their arrival they didn’t ask too many questions.  It was a familiar scene; they knew how it’d play out.  The coroner was called and Silhouette, escorted to the station.  They’d bullshit a few questions and let her go.  She wasn’t afraid in the slightest, she was the victim.

The car ride was uneventful and before too long she found herself staring at a lobby which resembled a zoo more than a functional station.  Uniforms scurried left and right amongst a sea of chaotic convicts, civilians and complainers; it was only Wednesday.  Papers flew and the phone rang off the hook while a red-faced receptionist fought the losing battle of keeping the crowd calm.

Silhouette was advised to take a seat and “an officer would be with her shortly.”  The copper directed her to a bench across the room where a calm collected stranger sat smirking in solitude.  Reluctantly she complied; an act which the man already seated took notice.

“You’d think they’d have something better to do then go chasin’ you ladies, right?”

“I’m not a whore,” firmly retorted.

“Course not, course not.  Never said you were a whore or nothin’; quite lovely really.  No I’m sayin’ they got you ‘on the job’, yeah?  No judgment.”

“No,” embarrassed she turned away.

“Really? Cause if that looks an accident, may I heed the simple advice to steer clear of intersections?”  He gave a halfhearted laugh before realizing the stern expression upon her face.

He wasn’t too rough on the eyes.  His dark brown hair lay messy from the compression of a hat and he was dressed rather strangely in a red shirt, black vest and trousers.  It was something about his eyes though, like they didn’t belong.  Silhouette would’ve guessed he was no older than herself, save the eyes.  Struggling to piece together something she spoke without giving a thought.

“My boyfriend, he was shot in a car-jacking.  Why are you here for that matter?”

“Came for a visit,” lifting his wrist reviled a chain which tethered him to the bench.  “I think they intend for me to stay for a bit longer than I planned,” he beamed.  “Well beautiful—“

“It’s Silvia.”

“Silvia, I’m sorry to hear about your ‘boyfriend’. I’m sure he’ll be fine.  They’re just going to ask you a few questions and make a report.”  He motioned as two officers began making their way over.  “You should clean yourself off luv; you’re far better looking than that.”

Somewhere under that makeup she blushed and to it he asked one last thing.   Hesitantly she subtly snuck him a bobby pin which he swiftly slid into his coat, the detectives left him, once again lonesome on the bench.

They led her into a small interrogation room.  Bright, loud fluorescent lights illuminated the cold, sanitary nightmare.  A mirror faced Silvia after taking a seat on a rough metal chair.  The air tasted artificial and she couldn’t help but wonder how many terrified individuals had taken the same seat that she had.

  “Silvia Spencer-Chen?”  

She nodded, “It’s Spenchen.” 

“I’m Detective Walter.  This is Officer Murray.”  Murray cleared his throat.  “We’ve just got a couple of questions and then you can go.  Think you can do that?”

She did her best to look upset and gave a quivered ‘yes’.

“Now you said that you and Paul were on a date when the high jacking took place?”

“Our first,” she whimpered.

“And where did you meet?”

“Online.  I know it sounds silly, but they claim results and—“

“So the suspect approached the driver’s side, can you describe him?”

“I…it was all so quick.  He had a hood and a knife…”

“We’ll need more if we’re going to catch this guy.”  Murray was annoyed.  On duty for ten hours and he knew he wasn’t getting out on time.

“Probably medium build.  He spoke with a, ‘southern’, drawl.  I didn’t see his face.”

“Is that all you can tell us?”  Murray rolled his eyes and Silvia gave him a glare.

“Thank you Miss Spencer-Chen, please call if you can think of anything else.”

“It’s Spenchen.”

“Right, well, be careful on your way home, we’ll do what we can.”

“You’re free to go.”

The lights died promptly upon this mentioning.  Pure anarchy erupted, sounding from the lobby.  Without another word, both officers fled, guns drawn.

Silvia followed with an effort of stealth.  A glance into the hall was all she needed.  Officers tried helplessly to break up the brawl.  It’s hard to tell what or who started riot, but the fact remained at a man laid dead in the middle of it and the figure handcuffed to the bench was nowhere to be found.  Blood dripped from the lips of the corpse.  His cold eyes seemed to stare at her.  The boys in blue were starting to gain control of the room, but struggled greatly.  She needed to get out.

Making her way to any possible exit; forced to the occasional ducking and dodging to avoid getting hit.  She clung to the wall, nearly clobbered, as a man with a battered nose sailed overhead.  Diving into an office, which fortunately had a window, and locking the door behind her, she took a deep breath.  Mistakenly, only the first floor had bars.  Stepping closer brought her the new perspective of a narrow ledge just beyond the window.  Thoughts of alternative options provided no results.  With slight interference, the window slid open bringing a burst of the night air inside.

A rattling came to the doorknob followed by frantic pounding.  Easing her way out and onto the ledge, she forced the window close.  The shouting and yelling continuing from the hall became much more prominent when the door splintered open and the premises searched.  There wasn’t a sign that neither Silvia or anyone else had entered.  Satisfied, they made haste to gain control of the lobby.

Sidling around the ledge, there wasn’t a fire escape to be found.  Once again out of options, she lowered to a hanging position allowing the intricate architecture to act as a ladder.  Reaching for a piece of column to gain some stability sent her off balance.  When the integrity of the column failed, too much of her horror, Silvia plunged into the depths of the alleyway.  Had she been more oriented she’d had landed more gracefully.  Instead, the pile of garbage bags primarily did the work.  With a loud thud, it brought a rude awakening for a nearby homeless man.

The profane language of the pauper muffled Silvia’s own as she staggered up, trying to walk it off; an elusive limp to the right.  The night started off bad and had only progressed to get worse.  Injured and lost she was truly in a state of worry.

“Fuckin’ kids.  Got no respect.  Yep!  None.  That’s why this fuckin’ city’s got to hell.  Bastards.  Bastards all of them.  I catch ‘em around here again, ha ha, oh boy, I’ll kill them!”  The lunatic continued down a long soliloquy which was distorted with the slurs and mutterings on an old drunk.

“Umm, excuse me…”  It was a longshot she pondered, but maybe he’d have some direction.

“Huh?  Waddaya want?!  I outta smack ya for sneakin’ up on…wussza girl doin’ ‘ere?”

“I’m a little lost…”

“That be right? Unless you ‘eard the rumours?  Of good ol’ Charles and his legendary cock.  S’alright, they’re true.  And nice lookin’ ladies like you can’t get enough!  Ha Ha Ha!”

Sirens could be heard faint in the background and she had no intensions in waiting around.  Being new to the area didn’t help, but surely there were more lucid members of the community she might take her inquiry.  She fled without a proper farewell.

“No need to be frightened sweet-stuff,” he called after her.  “I can be gentle.”  Charles’ laughter echoed the alley but she dared not look back.

It wasn’t until she’d exited that she realized that somewhere amongst the excitement had her heels gone missing.  Almost thankful, Silvia broke into a sprint, wanting to place as much distance between her and the station as possible.  Not sure where she was heading, she slowed once arriving at train stop.  The area remained vacant at this hour and the stop itself appeared as if it hadn’t been operational for some time.  Rattling and banging against the metal gate as if it would give, she became all that much more annoyed.  Slumping at the foot of the would-be entrance she began to ponder.

A singular streetlamp loomed over a train schedule and map; anxiously she studied the image, attempting to commit to memory.  Perhaps it was her focus, possibly her fatigue, regardless, she neglected to detect the individuals approaching from behind.

“Well, well boys, what do we have here?”

Silvia nearly jumped out of her skin; spinning around to four pairs of eyes staring back at her.

“S’matter?  You know, it’s not safe for a beautiful thing like yourself roaming around the night.  What’d you think Toggs?”

“I think she looks lonely.”  Toggs smiled, baring cigarette stained teeth, a few missing.

“Oh, but there’s no need for that darling,” forcing his arm around her shoulders. “You’ve got us to keep you company.  Innt that right guys?”  They responded in unison.

“I really should be getting home though.”

“I’d like to give her a ride home.”

The acting leader shot him a glance.  “Rich, that’s no way to treat our guest!  You must forgive my mates, they can be a bit rough.”

“Right….Well I’ll be off—“  Silvia tried to turn to leave but was prevented.

“So soon?  We just met.  My apologies for not introducing myself earlier; friends call me Matty.  Don’t think I’ve gotten yours.” Matty breathed into her ear, occasionally gently stroking it with the outside of his tongue.  Thwarting any chance of running.

“Silhouette,” keeping her eyes on his hands.

“Nice”

“Well Silhouette, you interested in having a bit of fun?” His hand started to travel lower and they all began laughing.

Silvia let it a deep breath, closing her eyes and exhaling slowly.  She grabbed the hand around her, focusing on a pressure point between his thumb and pointer before stuffing her right elbow into Matty’s gut.  She spun around to deliver a knee, spending him backwards.

“Bitch!”  The lackeys jumped to action.  Toggs threw a right hook, skillfully ducked, his second punch countered and tossed over her shoulder onto Matty.

Rich pulled his stiletto and began swinging in a panic.  Narrowly dodging, all he managed was part of her dress which danced lifelessly to the floor.  She shot him a look of disdain.  On his backhand Silvia caught his arm; guiding it into his leg twice.  Howling in pain, Rich tumbled to the ground.  The knife dropped and scattered from his possession.  

The last gent, presently absent of an introduction and in a cabbie hat, began his charge as Toggs struggled to his feet.  With a backside roundhouse she returned him to the ground allowing the momentum to carry her around again.  A perfect effort of timing brought her foot beneath the chin of the hatted foe, knocking him to the floor.

By the time she’d turned around Matty was booking it in the opposite direction, cursing something fierce between his panting.  The rest remained on the ground moaning.  Satisfied with her performance and pointed in the proper direction, Silvia casted off home; stepping on Toggs as she departed.

She had only gone a couple blocks when she caught up to Matty, or when Matty found her.  Having turned down a side street, Silvia was greeted with a sinister smirk and the glint of a gun.  Instinctively she knew she’d been had.  Even if she could, she was far too fatigued to try anything.

“See what your fancy twists and kicks can get you now you stupid cunt.  You caused me and my buddies a lot of trouble and now you’re gonna fuckin’ pay.”

He looked significantly different now.  It could be the lighting or maybe the apparitional charm from before had been swapped for the pure contempt and rage which pasted his face a deep red.  The pavement must have kissed him, for he stood scraped and beaten.  Matty drew closer, though armed he still moved cautiously, backing her against the wall.

The faint outline of a figure sprinted, gliding and traversing the ledges above.  A few rocks fell to the street level, startling the armed assailant and consequently firing into the air.  The shot echoed throughout the silent city with the last of the rings returning it to its original state.  Matty made an effort towards Silvia; like a puff of smoke, a stranger appeared, dropping on and foiling Matty’s intentions.

He was up in a flash, raising his cannon but the vigilante kicked it from his palm.  Still rolling with the momentum the stranger unleashed a series of kicks.  Matty recovered and attempted to throw a jab; easily countered with a blow the torso.  Silvia’s saviour took this opportunity to gain leverage from the wall and finished off the stunned foe with a spinning kick.

Slowly walking back to Silvia, she finally recognized her rescuer.

“I didn’t get to return this to you.”  He smiled and held out a bobby pin.  “Sorry if I interrupted something there.”  He motioned to Matty who lied motionless in the street.

All she had in response was a dumbfounded stare as he warmly handed her the hairpin.  “Have you been following me?”

“Was it stealth you were going for luv?  Wasn’t hard to find you once I got out.

“Did you…”  She paused.  “Did you kill that man?”

He shrugged, slightly embarrassed.  “It was on accident.  Don’t think it’ll hurt to mention he was a human trafficker.”

“What does that make you?”

“Tired, but from the looks of it, not nearly as you.”

A disguised smile crept upon her face.  “Thanks… it’s been a rough night.”

“How’s that boyfriend?”

“You still think I’m a prostitute?”

“No, but if you expect me to believe that rubbish story, you’re surely gone mental,” he beamed.

“And you were just visiting?”

He stepped back and chuckled.  “I like you Silvia.  You’re funny.  Gotta lighten up though.  Have you got far to go?”

“I can manage myself.”  She’d had enough of ‘helpful’ individuals for the evening.

“Alright, alright.  If that be the case then allow me to simply say it’s been a pleasure meeting you.  Here’s to seeing you around.”  With some apprehension from Silvia, he shook her hand and was off.

“Who are you?”  She called after him, though out of earshot from her cries.

Once getting to her apartment it was a quick stumble up the stairs and a fumble with the lock before she managed to collapse upon the comforts of her own bed.  Silvia was seconds from passing out when a gentle reminder brought her attention to her side; slipping the take from Mr. Blake out of her pants, tucking it within a wooden box on the nightstand.  She didn’t have a job or an idea of what she was supposed to do tomorrow; but she had the first month’s rent.